Leg and Underarm Waxing
About Leg and Underarm Waxing
Leg and underarm waxing removes hair from the root, so your skin stays smooth for weeks rather than days. Because the whole hair is lifted from below the surface, regrowth is slower than with shaving, and many people find that regular waxing leaves hair finer and sparser over time. Your therapist will use one of two main types of wax. Strip wax, sometimes called soft or warm wax, is spread thinly in the direction of hair growth, covered with a fabric or paper strip and removed against the growth, which makes it quick and efficient across large areas such as the legs. Hot wax, also called hard wax, is applied in a thicker layer, sets on the skin and is lifted away without a strip, which is why many therapists choose it for the underarms, where hair grows in several directions and the skin is more delicate. You can book half legs, either lower or upper, three quarter legs or full legs, and many salons pair a leg wax with an underarm or bikini line wax in one visit. An underarm wax takes only a few minutes, while a full leg wax usually fits comfortably within an appointment of under an hour. Waxing suits most skin and hair types, and it is a popular choice before holidays and special occasions.
On the day, and after
During the treatment
Your therapist will start with a short consultation, asking about your health, medication and skin, and will ask you to sign a consent form. You will lie on a couch, with a protective cover beneath you, and the area will be cleansed to remove oils and residue. Before working on the full area, your therapist will test the temperature of the wax on a small patch of your skin to check it feels comfortable. For the legs, strip wax is usually spread in sections in the direction of hair growth, a strip is smoothed over the top and then removed swiftly against the growth, with your therapist holding the skin taut to reduce discomfort. For the underarms, you will be asked to raise your arm above your head, and hot wax is often used in small sections, following the different growth patterns. Any stray hairs are tidied with tweezers, and a soothing after-wax product is applied to calm the skin before you leave.
How it feels
Most people describe leg waxing as a quick, sharp sting as each strip comes away, followed almost immediately by relief. Your therapist will press a hand over the area straight after, which helps the sensation fade. The lower legs and knees are usually easier than the upper thighs, where the skin is softer. The underarms are more sensitive, so expect a stronger but very brief sting, and you may notice tiny pinpricks of redness where the hairs were thickest. Your first appointment tends to feel the most intense, and many clients find that regular waxing becomes more comfortable over time as hair regrows finer. Feeling relaxed helps, so breathe out slowly as each strip is removed. Afterwards, your skin may feel warm, slightly tender and wonderfully smooth.
Results and maintenance
You can expect smooth skin for around three to four weeks before new hair starts to show, and for some people results last up to six weeks. How long yours lasts depends on your own growth cycle, the area waxed and how consistently you book. Hair grows in cycles, so after your first appointment you may notice a few hairs returning sooner than others. Booking every four to six weeks, and keeping to it, gradually brings the hairs into the same cycle so results feel smoother and longer lasting. Many people find their hair grows back finer and sparser after regular waxing. Between visits, exfoliate gently a few times a week and moisturise daily to keep skin supple and help prevent ingrown hairs. Let hair grow rather than shaving in between, so it reaches the length your therapist needs. Your therapist can help you plan a routine that suits your growth and lifestyle.
Before and after your appointment
Before your appointment
Let your hair grow to about the length of a grain of rice, roughly a quarter of an inch, so the wax has something to grip. If you usually shave, this tends to mean around two weeks of growth for the underarms and a little longer for the legs. If your hair is much longer, your therapist can trim it first. Avoid shaving, plucking or picking at hairs in the days before, as this leaves uneven lengths and patchy results. Gentle exfoliation a few days ahead helps lift any trapped hairs, but skip scrubs, moisturisers and other products in the 24 hours before so the wax can grip cleanly. Leave your underarms free of deodorant on the day if you can, and wear loose clothing, such as a vest top and soft trousers or a skirt. Tell the salon in advance about any medication that affects your skin, especially retinoids or acne treatments, along with sunburn, recent tanning or any skin condition on the area.
Aftercare
For the first 24 hours, give your skin a gentle rest. Avoid hot baths, hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, swimming and sunbathing, as heat and chlorine can irritate freshly waxed follicles. Skip sunbeds and fake tan for at least a day or two. Give your underarms a day off from deodorant, antiperspirant and anything else that might block the follicles, and save strenuous exercise that makes you sweat heavily for the next day. Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid friction, and try not to touch or scratch the area. A cool compress or a soothing gel helps if the skin feels warm. After a few days, once your skin has settled, start exfoliating gently two or three times a week and moisturise daily, which keeps the skin soft and helps new hairs grow through freely. Resist the urge to shave between appointments, as this resets the growth cycle and makes your next wax less effective.
There is very little downtime after a leg or underarm wax, and you can return to work or your day straight away. Your skin may look pink with small raised bumps around the follicles for a few hours, and the underarms can feel tender for a little longer. This settles quickly with a cool compress and soothing gel. Plan your appointment so you can avoid heat, deodorant, sun and heavy exercise for the next 24 hours. If you are waxing before a holiday or event, book a day or two ahead rather than on the day itself, so any redness has calmed. Wax before a spray tan rather than after, leaving a gap of a day or two.
Safety and medical considerations
Safety essentials
Choose a therapist who has completed recognised waxing training, such as a beauty therapy qualification that includes waxing, and who holds professional insurance. Waxing does not need a special treatment licence in London boroughs such as Bexley, so training and insurance are the things to check. A professional salon looks and feels clean, with fresh couch roll for every client, a tidy work area and equipment cleaned between appointments. Your therapist should apply wax in a way that avoids cross contamination, using clean spatulas and never returning a used spatula to the pot. They will carry out a full consultation, record your medical history and medication, and ask you to sign consent before starting. They will test the wax temperature on your skin first and keep checking it throughout, because wax that is too hot can burn. Under national standards, anyone under 16 needs a parent or guardian to give consent and stay throughout the appointment. You should leave with clear aftercare advice.
Medical considerations
Some medications make the skin fragile enough to tear when waxed. If you take oral isotretinoin or acitretin, wait at least six to twelve months after finishing before you wax. Pause retinoid creams for roughly a month first, and always mention any acne treatment, antibiotic or hormone therapy so your therapist can advise. Do not wax over sunburn, broken, irritated or infected skin, rashes, cuts or recent scars, and ask your therapist to work around moles and skin tags. Severe varicose veins, very thin or fragile skin and a known allergy to rosin, which is found in many waxes and sticking plasters, will usually rule waxing out on that area. If you have diabetes, or take medicines that thin the skin, affect bleeding or lower your immunity, talk to your therapist, who may adapt the treatment or ask you to check with your GP first. See a GP if an ingrown hair becomes very painful, hot or swollen, or you feel feverish.
Patch testing
A formal patch test is not routinely required for leg and underarm waxing, but a skin test still plays an important part in every appointment. National occupational standards for waxing ask your therapist to apply a thermal test patch to a small part of the treatment area immediately before they begin. This checks that the wax is at a comfortable temperature and that your skin is not reacting to the heat, and your therapist will keep checking the temperature as they work. A separate patch test is worth arranging if you have sensitive skin, a history of allergies, or have reacted to wax, plasters or skincare in the past, because some waxes contain rosin, a known cause of allergic skin reactions. It is also sensible if you are trying a new salon or a different type of wax, or if your health or medication has changed. Where a salon does patch test, industry guidance generally suggests doing it at least 24 hours before treatment, or 48 hours if you have diabetes. If itching, swelling or a rash appears at the test site, tell the salon and do not go ahead.
Knowing a good practitioner
Green flags
A great waxing appointment starts with a warm welcome and a proper consultation, where your therapist asks about your skin, health and any medication and records your answers. You will notice a clean, calm treatment room, fresh couch roll, tidy trolleys and a lid on the wax pot. Your therapist tests the wax temperature on your skin before they begin and checks in with you throughout. They choose the wax to suit each area, often strip wax for the legs and hot wax for the underarms, and they hold the skin firmly as they remove each strip. They work with confidence and speed, keeping you covered and comfortable. Their qualifications and insurance are easy to see or happy to share. You leave with soothing product on your skin, clear aftercare advice, ideally in writing, and a suggested date for your next visit.
Red flags
Be cautious of any salon that skips the consultation or never asks about medication, especially retinoids or acne treatment. A therapist who reuses a spatula in the wax pot after touching your skin, works on a couch without fresh cover, or leaves old wax and debris around the work area is not following basic hygiene. Wax applied without first testing the temperature on your skin is a concern, as is wax that feels painfully hot. Take care if a therapist agrees to wax over sunburn, broken skin or a rash, or brushes off your questions about training or insurance. Repeated lifting of skin, bruising or burns are signs that technique or product choice needs attention. Leaving without any aftercare advice, verbal or written, is another sign that the service is not as thorough as it should be.
Questions to ask
Before you book, ask your therapist what waxing training they have completed and whether they hold professional insurance. It helps to ask which type of wax they use for legs and which for underarms, and why. You could ask whether they test the wax temperature on your skin before starting, and whether they offer a patch test if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Ask how long your hair should be before your appointment, how they keep the wax pot hygienic, and what aftercare they recommend for the first 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does my hair need to be for a leg wax?
Aim for about the length of a grain of rice, roughly a quarter of an inch. That usually means around two to three weeks of growth if you normally shave. If your hair is much longer, your therapist can trim it before waxing. Hair that is too short will not grip well, which can leave patchy results.
Can I use deodorant after an underarm wax?
It is best to wait 24 hours. Freshly waxed follicles are open and sensitive, and deodorant or antiperspirant can sting and block the pores, which may lead to spots or irritation. Keep the area clean and dry, wear a loose top, and use a gentle soothing gel if the skin feels warm.
Does waxing make hair grow back thicker?
No. Waxing removes the whole hair from the root, so regrowth comes through with a natural tapered tip and feels softer than stubble after shaving. Many people find that with regular waxing their hair grows back finer and sparser over time, and appointments become quicker and more comfortable.
Can I wax if I am using retinol or acne treatment?
Tell your therapist before booking. Your therapist will usually ask you to put retinoid creams aside for roughly a month before your wax, and after oral isotretinoin you should wait at least six to twelve months. These treatments can thin the skin, so waxing too soon risks the skin lifting or tearing.
How do I stop ingrown hairs after waxing?
Start exfoliating gently a few days after your wax, once the skin has settled, and moisturise every day. Wear loose clothing and avoid shaving between appointments. If an ingrown hair becomes very painful, hot, swollen or filled with pus, or you feel unwell, see a GP rather than squeezing it.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a qualified practitioner, and to your GP if you have a medical condition, before booking.